Acetylene-gas generator.



No.-'733,328. PATENTED JULY 7, 1903 J. H. MOUNT.

AGETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 24, 1902.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

N0 MODEL.

{ h wan fox wwwzoa No. 733,328. PATENTED JULY 7, 1903.

' J. H." MOUNT.

ACETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED'DEG. 24, 1902. N0 MODEL. 4 SHBETS-SHBET 2.

INVENTOR Jaw/e66 H. Moeuai No. 733,328. PATENTEDJULY 7, 1903. J. H.MOUNT. AUETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

APPLIUATION TILED DEC. 24, 1902.

4 SKEBTS -BHEBT 3.

H0 MODEL.

'50 MODEL.

Wihwooco PATBNTED; JULY 7, 1903.

I. MOUNT.

AGETYLENB GAS GENERATOR. urnmumx mum DEC. 24, i902.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

vwemtoz J va/e6 17%); (Li

Patented J'uly '7, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES H. MOUNT, OF JAMESBURG, NEW JERSEY.

A-CETYLENE -GAS GENERATOR.

PECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 7 33,328, dated 111 7,Application filed December 2d 1902. Serial No. 136,506. (No model.)

To (0M 1077,0777, it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES H. MOUNT, a citizen of the United StatesofAmerica,and a resident of Jamesburg,county of Middlesex, State of NewJersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inAcetylene-Gas Generators, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in acetylene-gas generators ofthe type wherein the generated gas displaces the water and acts on afioat to control the supply of carbid.

In carrying out my invention I propose fixing a bell within a water-tankand arranging a float in the space formed between the bell and the wallsof the tank. The function of the float is twofold, to wit: First, it israised and lowered accordingly as the pressure of gas rises and falls tocontrol the flow of carbid, and, secondly, it is free to be revolvedwithout affecting the movement of the carbidvalve to agitate the residuein the bottom of the generating-chamber when cleaning the apparatus. I

One of the prime objects of my invention is to provide in a generatorsuch an arrangement of parts as to permit of the absolute control of thegas to maintain a uniform pressure through the medium of the gasdisplacing the water forming the gas seal acting on a prescribedmechanism, which is connected to a valve so constructed and arrangedthat its movement is minutely and positively operated to control theadmission of carbid to the generating-chamber. Furthermore, it is highlyimportant in an apparatus of this character that the valve be delicatelyarranged and protected from the evil effects of the gas and at the sametime be capable of being manually operated irrespective of the state ofthe pressure of gas; and to this end I have constructed and arranged thecarbid-controlling valve so that it is thoroughly protected to insureits automatic movement being accomplished with as little resistance aspossible.

It is also my object to provide agas-generator having as one of itschief characteristics means whereby the resultant residue in thegas-generating chamber may he removed without eliecting the grade oflight to any appreciable degree.

I am aware that the principles as herein en umerated have been beforeattempted; but in all structures known to me the mechanism is of such acomplex nature it is not susceptible to the quickness and at the sametime positiveness of action required to effectually accomplish thedesired ends to a degree which would render the apparatus of commercialvalue.

With these objectsin view it necessarily follows that specific detailsof construction have had to be devised; and my invention thereforecomprehends important improvements therein. These as well as the moreimportant elements, together with the advantages, 850., will behereinafter described and be more particularly pointed out in theclaims.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of my improvedgas-generator. Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical section of the same tomore clearly bring out the operative details of construction. Fig. 3 isa horizontal section on the line A A, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a similar viewon the line B B, Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of thejoint between the carbid-holder and the bell. Fig. 6 is an enlargeddetail sectional view of the carbidvalve and a portion of the holder.Fig. 7 is a detail view of the upper portion of Fig. 6, showing theparts in a different position. Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail perspectiveview of the upper end of the valve-stem. Fig. 9 is a detail perspectiveview of the fioat. Fig. 10 is a detail perspective view of the agitator.Fig. 11 is a plan view of the upper bar of the same.

The numeral 1 represents a tank which is of conical shape at the bottomand is mounted on legs 2, and it is provided at its upper end with aspent 3, communicating with the tank at 3. An annular partition 4extends upwardly from theconical bottom, and at its upper end it has acontracted open neck 5, the top 6 between the flange of the mouth andthe partition being slightlyinclined to readily shed water. Thepartition thus forms the gas-generating chamber 4, as will be more fullydescribed hereinafter. A pipe 8, having a valve 9, connects the space 10formed between the tank 1 and the partition 4 and the lower end of thegenerating-chamber.

11 represents a bell whose top 12 is of conical formation to shed water,and it has depending therefrom an annular partition 13, designed to belocated in the space 10. The partition 13 does not extend to the bottomof the tank 1. Hence an intermediate compartment 14 is formed in thespace 10, which, with ihe water 15, completes a seal to prevent theescape of gas. Extending outwardly from the bell toward the periphery ofthe tank 1 are arms 16, which engage threaded guides 17 on the upperedge of the tank, and to rigidly fasten the bell thereto to maintain itin proper relationship therewith nuts 18 engage the guides.

An escape-pipe 19 passes through the top of the bell, and its lower openend is positioned far enough in the water in the intermediatecompartment 14 so that should the regulating devices, to be described,become inactive or for any other reason an excessive pressure of gas beprevalent the gas may escape to the atmosphere, and hence avoid seriousconsequences incident to an explosion. A branch pipe 20, in which is avalve 21, communicates with the escape-pipe 19 and the interior of thetop of the bell.

A float rises and falls on the water in the space 10, and depending fromit is a valvesupport 26. The support 26 consists of a rod bent at 27 27to pass around the lower edge of the pendent partition 13 of the bell.Then it runs parallel with the partition, as at 28 2S, and is bent againat 29 29 and then turned down, as at 30 30, into the gas-generatingchamber 4, the turned-down portion being connected, as at 31, andcarries a vertical rod 32. The float 25 is mechanically supported by thebrackets 25 when it falls below a fixed level and is again taken up whenthe water rises. The connection 31 also coacts with an agitator orscraper in the generating-chamber. The agitator consists of a rod33,-bearing at its lowerenda spider-frame consisting of a pair ofguide-arms 34 and a pair of scrapers 35. The upper endof the rod 33 isforked, and the forked upper ends are oppositely bent, as shown in Figs.10 and 11, for convenience of positioning the agitator over theconnection 31. The float may thus rise and fall under the influence ofthe pressure of gas without in the least affecting the movement of theagitator, while if it be desired to scrape and agitate the carbidresidue in the bottom of the generating-chamber the operator by graspingthe handles 35 revolves the float, which movement is transposed to thespider-frame. Such movement may be imparted at any stage of theoperation without in the least retarding the generation of gas.Obviously by reason of the inclination of the bottom of the chamber 4the residue when agitated will fall to the center 'tobe carried oflthrough the pipe 36, which is controlled by a valve 37.

The bell has formed at the apex of its top a contracted neck 40,provided at its upper edge with a mutilated flange 41. Spaces 42 areformed between the mutilated portions of the flange, and one end ofv theflange is turned downward to form a stop-lug 43, while the opposite endtapers off into the neck 40. The neck receives the end of and supportsthe carbid-holder 45, in which is mounted the valve and the mechanismcoacting therewith to render it susceptible to prompt and positiveaction for feeding carbid to the generat ing-chamber.

The carbid holder or magazine 45 comprises a tank-like structure with aconical bottom terminating in a neck 46, bearing an annular flange 47,from which project inturned flanges 48. The flanges 48 pass in thespaces 42 in alinement with the flange 41, whereupon the holder isturned toward the beveled ends of the flanges and the inturned flangestake (hereunder and bind against the stops 43. This action seals thejoint between and locks the carbid-holder to the bell. A series ofconical deflectors 45 are mounted in the holder, each being suitablysupported and centrally perforated, and they are of smaller diameterthan the interior of the holder to form spaces 49. The topmost deflector45 is smaller in diameter than the others to permit the carbid toreadily overflow the edges to avoid any possibility of choking at thispoint. Depending from the top of the holder 45 is a tube 50, (shownbestin Fig. 6,) and at its lower end it is of considerably largerdiameter than the body portion. The enlargement 51 forms a skirt, and itis centrally located in the neck by means of radial flanges 52, theupper portion of said skirt being inclined to shed the carbid toward thespace 53. Attached to the tube are several smaller auxiliaryconical-shaped deflectors 54, which prevent the openings of thedeflectors 45 becoming packed with carbid. In the bottom of the neck 46is a plug 56, beveled on the top 57 and likewise on its bottom 58, andit is centrally perforated at 59. The bevels 57 and 58 where they meetat the opening 59 form a knife-edge 60. A valve 62 operates in theopening 59 and is of such shape as to perform several highly importantfunctions. The valve is of cone shape to the point indicated at 63, fromwhich it extends upwardly a short distance, nearly vertical, as at 64. A

- neck 65 is formed above the valve proper, and

above the neck is an enlargement 66, which is beveled at the top andbottom, the top bevel fitting to a nicety the bevel of the interior ofthe skirt 51.

67 represents a stem fitting in the tube 50. The upper end of the stemis tubular and formed with two slots 68, provided with upper and lowershoulders 69, and in these slots is guided the ends of a cross-pin 70,carried by the lower slightly-enlarged end of an extension-stem 71.

72 indicates a beveled flange formed on the extension-stem 71, which isadapted to be seated in a depression 73 in the end ofa flange ICC 74 onthe lower end of a sleeve 75, mounted in the upperend ofthetube50. Thesleeve75 also passes through a stuffing-box 76, screwed on the end ofthetank 45, andaknob 77is screwed on the stem 71 for manually operating thevalve. The bottom of the valve 62 is beveled and terminates in a seatfor the upper end of a rod 78.

79 represents a hollow conical base on the rod 78, and extending up intothe rod 78 from the hollow portion of the head is a seat 80, whichreceives the rod 32 of the float-support. When it is desired to removethe stem 67, the knob 77 is removed, and the stem 67 may be withdrawnfrom the sleeves 75 and 50 and in like manner restored.

The proportions of the various parts which form the valve-stem are suchthat when the knob 77 is drawn up to cause the ends of the cross-pin 70to engage the uppershoulder 69 of the slot 68 the portion 64: of thevalve 62 fits snugly the knife-edge of the opening 59, and the carbid isprevented from falling from the holder into the generating -chamber.Should, however, the knob be forced down on the stuffing-box 76 andthere is no gas-pressure in the generating-chamber, the sleeve 75 andthe extension-stem and stem are likewise forced down, and the valve 62drops from its seat 59 by gravity; but if there is pressure in thegenerating-chamber at the time the knob 77 is depressed the end of thepin will be guided down the slots 68, and the valve will not bedislodged. Thus I have provided a valve construction for controlling thecarbid which may be manually operated at any time irrespective of thecondition of the gas-pressure; for, if it should be necessary tocease-generating gas during the time the carbid is flowing from thetankit may be accomplished by lifting the knob, or, as has been alreadystated, if the valve should be closed by gas-pressure its position doesnot prevent the forcing down or the elevating of the knob and theextension-stem.

Pulverized or powdered carbid is poured into the holder 45 through theopening 30, and it falls first into the upper conical deflector 45*,from whence it runs through the opening of the deflectors 45 below andfinally into the space 53 in the neck 46. The carbid in passing throughthe openings is piled on the deflector below or in the neck, as the casemay be, as indicated by the dotted lines 81 in Fig. 2, until eventuallythe topmost deflector becomes filled and it in turn overflows into thesecond deflector, and when the latter is filled the. carbid overflowsand falling through the spaces 49 accumulates in the bottom of the tank,and when this becomes filled the carbid runs into the lowermostdeflector, and so on until the tank becomes fully charged. I have foundthat in charging the carbid-holder it will to a limited extent pack byits own weight as the mass is formed into a pile unless it isintersected by the deflectors. This being true, I find it expedient towhich sheds the powdered material to the space 53, where it is againdivided and prevented from packing by the radial flanges 52. The carbideventually falls on the upper bevel 57 of the plug 56 to be liberated bythe lowering of the valve 62.

Experience has demonstrated that if any of the mechanism should be indirect. contact with the carbid the evil influences acting thereon forma rough surface, and the operation of the parts is materially affected.Since the valve-stem passes through the carbid-holder according to myinvention, the tube 50 and its skirt 51 absolutely prevent the particlesof carbid getting between and interfering with the parts which havefrictional contact with each other. The carbid in falling from the space33 to the top of the plug 56 only contacts with the neck 65 and the topof the valve, while the carbid never reaches the stem 67 above theenlargement 66. This is true by reason of the skirt shielding the stem,and it is also true by reason of the enlargement protecting the openingin the tube 50, which receives the stem. If the carbid should byaccident get under the skirt, it cannot reach the stem in the tube,because of the enlargement, which will deflect it and direct it backagain.

Heretofore in filling carbid-holders an objection has been found in thefact that the opening of the carbid-holder will permit the escape ofgas, which was objectionable. To overcome this difficulty, I haveprovided means whereby the carbid can be introduced into thecarbid-holder without the escape of gas. These means are as follows: Atthe top of the carbid-chamber I provide a port which consists of a pipeground to receive a tapered stem and having a valve 8O interposedtherein. 1 then provide a carbid funnel or receiver 89 with a taperedstem 90, having a valve 91 interposed therein. When I desire to fill thechamber, I close the valve 80", remove the carbid-funnel 89, and fillthe same in some safe place, closing the valve 91 and screwing down thecap 89. I then bring this funnel to the machine, introduce the nozzle 90into the pipe 80, the joints being ground to fit closely, then open thevalves 80 and 91, and permit the carbid to flow into the carbidchamber.I then close the valves 80 and 91 and then remove the funnel 89 withoutper mitting the escape of gas. Any gas in the funnel may be permitted toescape in a safe place. I finally close the port 80 with the cap 80 forsecurity.

95 is the service-pipe, which comm u uicates with the interior of thebell 11 at a point slightly above the normal water-line. A tank 96communicates with the pipe 95, and a valve '97 controls the passage ofgas thereto.

97 97 represent screens, one near the top and the other near the bottomof the tank, and between them is tightly packed cotton or the like, 98.An opening covered by a cap 99 aflords a convenient means for theinsertion of a tool to agitate the cotton, which is necessary after theapparatus has been in use for awhile. The tank above and below thescreens 97 is of conical formation, which isregarded of importance. henthe gas enters the tank from the bottom, it spreads out over the wholeunder surface of the cotton packing and insures the gas passing throughthe whole mass to be filtered, and when the gas reaches the top it isdeflected by the upper conical formation toward the usual service-pipe99. The cotton soon absorbs the moisture from the gas, and after it hasbecome saturated to be of no avail as a filtering medium the valve 97 isturned off, the cap 99 removed, and a tool is inserted through theopening and the soaked cotton is withdrawn and dry material is replaced.

In operation the various elements are assembled as described. The knob77 is depressed and the valve 62 falls from its seat, the movement beingonly sufficient to permit the powdered carbid to pass through theopening 59, from whence it is shed by the beveled top to thegenerating-chamber 4. Immediately the carbid reaches the water the gasis generated, and as the pressure increases it acts on the volume ofwater in the intermediate compartment 14 and the space 10 and elevatesthe float 25, and through the medium of the support 26 and rod 78 thevalve is closed. The air must now be relieved from within the chamber,and to do so valve 21 is opened,

and after a sufticient volume has escaped the valve is closed. Theclosing of the valve 62 by gas-pressure in no wise affects the movementof the sleeve and knob 77. As the gas is consumed the pressure under thebell is relieved, whereupon the weight of water in the space 10 forcesthe water in the compartment to displace the gas, and the normalwater-level is resumed. It is at this stage of the operation of myapparatus that the merits of the incline top 6 of the generator and theincline top of the bell come into play. The neck 5 is for the purpose ofincreasing the surface of water in the compartment 14 for the gas to actupon, and by inclining the surface 6 the water will be shed therefromwith little or no resistance when being driven down by the gas, and thisis equally true of the water rising and falling in the space 10.

' When the water rises therein, the displacement about equals that ofthe area in the compartment 14:, so that when falling it is shed fromthe top of the bell with as little resistance as possible. It is to beobserved that the level of the water in the generating-chamber remainsthe same during the period of generating gas. Hence all the gas-pressureis reflected to the water seal to raise and lower the float and themechanism cooperating therewith. The movement of the float isextremelyslight. Consequentlytheslightest irregularity of thegas-pressure is reflected to the controlling-valve 62, which insures thepressure of gas being regulated and maintained at a substantiallyuniform standard. Unlike gas-generators of the gasometer and triggertype the controlling means I employ is protected and arranged to adegree of minute impulses, that the movement of the parts need only besufflcient to let pass a sufficient quantity of carbid to support thefloat and the weight of the water.

When the gas is consumed, the float falls and with it the rod and thevalve, only, however, to be again elevated when the carbid falls intothe generating-chamber.

Acetylene gas carries a great deal of moisture, which tends to cause theparts to rust or corrode, 850. I found this element to be a factor instopping the passage of the powdered carbid, and it was partially toresist this evil effect I beveled the bottom of the plug and top of thevalve. By reason of the plug being located over the valve the latterprotects the former in that the dampness first encounters the valve, andcondensation accumulates thereunder and is thus prevented from rising tothe bottom of the plug. Moreover, if condensation should be presenteither on the bottom of the plug or the top of. the valve it isimmediately removed when the carbid is fed to the generating-chamber.

Should for any reason the gas exceed the predetermined pressure, thevolume of water in the compartment will be displaced accordingly, andthe gas will escape through the escape-pipe 19 to the atmosphere, afeature quite well known in this art.

It has been herein stated that the residue may be removed withoutdisplacing the gaspressure to any appreciable extent. This isaccomplished by pouring a predetermined quantity of water in the tank 1equal to the quantity to be drawn ofi. To gage this, a bucket 100 isused, which after being utilized to pour the water in the tank is placedbelow it to catch the residue. The attendant now turns the float aroundonce or twice, which movement operates the agitator. The valve 37 isopened and the water and residue in the generatin g-chamber flows intothe bucket 100. The escaping water would reduce the pressure of gas butfor the fact that the water in the compartment 14: and space 10 issiphoned over the neck 5 into the generating-chamber. The measuredquantity of water being withdrawn in proportion to the quantity havingbeen introduced in the tank, the water must now be leveled up in orderthat the various parts may again assume their normal position for theautomatic regulation of the gas. Valve 9 is opened and the water inspace 10 flows through pipe, 8 into the generatingchamber and the extraquantity of water added to the tank will take the place of the residuewhich has been drawn off. The valve 7being open, the water in the space10, compartment 14c, and generating-chamber becomes uniformly level, asindicated by the line marked normal level in Fig. 2. Valve 9 is nowclosed and the generating of gas is continued, as before described.

The bottom of the spout 3 is the visible indicator that the attendantmay observe it the level of the water is correct, for unless the levelis approximately correct, considering the relation of the float and thevalve it operates, obviously the parts would not respond to the promptand minute impulses incident to the change of the pressure of gas.

The slight movement of the float and the valve permits but a limitedquantity of carbid to fall into the generatingchamber, and as the actionof the pressure of gas is direct the light is uniform.

The lost motion in the valve-stem when the knob is depressed is ofcourse limited. However, it is of such proportion that if for someunaccountable reason the valve 62 should drop from its seat the lowerend of the enlargement 66 will find a seat in the opening 59 and preventthe unlimited escape of carbid. Such an accident is not likely to occur;but for safety it is of prime importance and would prevent the waste ofmaterial.

When the carbid-holder is removed from the bell, the gas therein willescape, and to prevent this I usually employ an ordinary cork (notshown) to temporarily close the neck 40 until the holder is againreplaced.

It will be noted that in the construction of my apparatus I employ agas-generating chamber 4, which contains the water into which the carbidfalls. The water in this tank is stationary, except when it is beingrefilled. It is not aflected by the gas-pressure and forms no part ofthe water seal. I have observed in apparatus of this general type thatwhere the same water is caused to serve the double purpose of combiningwith the carbid and also forming a water seal a certain odor is givenforth by the water where it contacts with the air. This may be theresult of various causes. I consider it an objectionable and possibly adangerous feature, and I have therefore contrived means of avoiding thisdifficulty by separating my gasgenerating tank from my water seal.

What I claim as new is 1. Anacetylene-gasgeneratorcomprisinga tank, amovable float, a valve operable by the float, and means for manuallyoperating the valve irrespective of the position of and without movingthe float.

2. An acetylene-gas generator comprising a arranged to permit movementthereof without atfecting the float when the latter is held undergas-pressu re.

3. An acetylene-gas generator comprising a tank, a generating-chamber, avalve for supplying carbid to the generating-chamber, a float in thetank adapted for independent radial movement therein, and a connectionbetween the valve and float operative irrespective of the position ofthe float.

l. The combination with a tank, ofa generating-chamber within the tank,a float arranged for radial movement, a carbid-holder, a valve thereforoperable by gas-pressure, and means connecting the valve and float tooperate the valve, said float being radially movable without regard tothe position of the valve.

5. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination with a tank, of agenerating-chamber therein, a carbid-holder, a. plug therein which isbeveled on its upper and lower sides and provided with a centralperforation, a valve coacting with the perforation which is of conicalformation, a stem on the valve having an enlargement adapted to alsocoact with the perforation, means for protecting the enlargement andvalve-stem, means for manually controlling the valve, and means forautomatically controlling the valve without regard to themanually-operable means, substantially as described. 7

6. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination with a tank, agas-generating chamber therein, a bell, a float interposed between thetank and the bell, a carbid-holder, a valve therein loosely connected tothe float to permit of movement of either one independent of the other,the float being actuated by the gas-pressu re acting only on the waterbetween ICC) the gas bell and tank without affecting the level of thewater in the generating-chamber, substantially as described.

7. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination with a tank, of agenerating-chamber therein, a float supported by a liquid seal, a bell,a pipe connecting the tank and the generating-chamber below the level ofthe liquids therein, and a valve in the pipe, whereby the liquid formingthe seal and that in the generating-chamber may be leveled,substantially as described.

8. In an acetylene-gas generator, a tank, a generating-chamber therein,a float in the tank adapted for radial movement, a carbidadmission valveoperable by the float, an agitator within the generating chamber, andmeans connecting the float and agitator to operate the latter in theradial movement of the valve.

9. In an acetylene-gas generator, a tank, a generating-chamber therein,a float in the tank adapted for radial movement, a carbidadmission valveoperable by the float, an agitator within the generatingchamber, andmeans connecting the float and agitator to operate the latter in theradial movement of the valve, said means being arranged to remainunaffected by the movement of the float in the operation of the valve.

10.- An acetylene-gas generator comprising a tank, a generating-chamber,a float supported by a liquid seal, a valve and stem therefor, meansconnecting the float and the valve, the movement of said float and valveadapted to be controlled by gas-pressure, a carbid-holder, and means formanually operating the valve irrespective of the position of the floatand without moving the said float thereby, substantially as described.

'11. An acetylene-gas generator, comprising a tank, agenerating-chamber, a float supported by a liquid seal, a valve and stemtherefor, means connecting the float and the valve, a carbid-holder, andmeans loosely connected to the stem whereby the valve may either beoperated by gas-pressure or man ually, substantially as described.

12. An acetylene-gas generator, comprising a tank, a generating-chamber,a float supported by a liquid seal, a valve, a stem therefor; which isslotted, and an extension having a pin which is adapted to move in theslot of the stem, whereby the valve may either be operated bygas-pressure or manually, sub stantially as described.

13. An acetylene-gas generator comprising a tank, a generating-chamber,a float supported by a liquid seal, a valve, a stem therefor, acarbid-holder, a guide therein for the valvestem, a skirt on the stem,and means in the carbid-holder for preventing the carbid becomingpacked, substantially as described.

14. An acetylene-gas generator comprising a tank, a generating-chamber,a float supported by a liquid seal, a valve, a loose connection betweenthe valve and the float, a carbid-holder, and means for controlling thevalve through the medium of the loose connection irrespective of theposition of the float, and permitting the float to be radially movedirrespective of the position of the valve, substantially as described.

15. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination with a tank, of agenerating-chamber therein, a float, a carbid-holder having a reducedneck at its lower end, an opening formed therein having inclined wallssurrounding the same, a valve working in said opening, a stem for thevalve, a guide for the stem, a series of conical deflectors providedwith central openings in the holder, auxiliary deflectors on the guide,and means working in the guide for manually controlling the valve,substantially as described.

16. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination with a tank, of agenerating-chamber, a carbid-holder provided with a reduced neck at itslower end, a plug in the neck which is beveled on its upper and lowersides and provided with a central opening, a valve which is conical information which coacts with the opening, a valve-stem, an enlargementtherein which may also coact with the opening in the plug, a skirtsurrounding the enlargement, a guide extending from the skirt, means tocontrol the valve, and means to prevent the carbid packing in theholder, substantially as described. v 17. In an acetylene-gas generator,the combination with a tank, of a generating-chamber, a carbid-holderwhich isbeveled on its under side toward the center, a conical valvelocated under the beveled bottom, a float supported bya water seal,means extending from the float under the valve, a rod connecting thesaid means and the valve for actuating the valve under the influence ofthe float, and means for controlling the valve manually irrespective ofthe position of the means extending from the float under the valve,substantially as described.

18. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination with a tank, of agenerating-chamber therein, a bell, a float supported by a liquid seal,a valve, means connecting the float and the valve, and an agitator,means connecting the agitator and the float whereby the agitator may beoperated by the float, substantially as described.

19. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination with a tank, of agenerating-chamber therein, a bell, a float supported by a liquid seal,a valve, means connecting the float and the valve, and an agitator,means connecting the agitator and the float whereby the agitator may beoperated by the float without affecting the position of the valve,substantially as described.

20. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination with a tank, of agenerating-chamber therein which contains liquid, a bell, a floatsupported by a liquid seal in the tank, means for leveling the liquidseal and the liquid in the generating-chamber, a valve, means connectingthe valve and the float, and a carbid-holder, the float controlling thevalve by gas-pressure on the liquid seal, substantially as described.

21. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination with a tank, of agenerating-chamber therein, a bell, a float supported by a water seal,an agitator in the generating-chamber, means connecting the float andthe agitator, whereby the agitator may be actuated radially, but thevertical movement of the float will not impart movement to the agitator,a valve, and a carbid-holder, substantially as described.

22. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination with a tank,agenerating-chamber, a float, means controlled by the float forintroducing carbid to the generating-chamber,and means for drawing theliquid from the tank to the generating-chamber when drawing the residuetherefrom, and means for simultaneously leveling the liquid in the tankand the generatingchamber, substantially as described.

23. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination with a tank, of agenerating-chamher therein having a contracted neck, a rigid bell in thetank between the walls thereof, and the generating-chamber, a floatinterposed between the bell and the walls of the tank, a carbid-holderhaving an opening above the generating-chamber, a valve coacting withthe opening, and means connecting the valve and the float, substantiallyas described.

24. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination with a tank, of agenerating-chamber, a contracted neck formed on the chamber, thatportion of the chamber between the neck and the walls thereof beingbeveled, a bell between the chamber and the walls of the tank whose topis inclined, a float whose top is beveled in the space between the belland the tank, a carbid-holder, a valve, and

means connecting the float and the valve,snbstantially as described.

25. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination with a tank, of agenerating-chamber therein which carriesiliquid, a bell between the tankand the chamber, a float, a carbid-holder, over the chamber, a valve,means connecting the valve and the float, means for leveling the liquidin the tank and the generator, the generated gas accumulating in thebell and only acting on the liquid in the tank to actuate the float andvalve, substantially as described.

26. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination with a tank havingliquid therein, a generating-chamber having liquid therein, a bell, afloat, a valve and stem therefor, means connecting the float and thevalve, a scraper in the chamber adapted to be actuated by the float, acarbid-holder, means therein for guiding and protecting the valve-stem,and means therein for preventing the carbid packing, substantially asdescribed.

27. In an acetylene-gas generator, a valve interposed between thecarbid-magazine and the gas-generator chamber, substantially asdescribed, with a valve-stem for said valve, said stem passing into thegas-generator chamber, and also passing into the carbidmagazine, theupper end of the stem passing into the carbid-magazine being slotted toreceive a cross-bar attached to the end of an extension-stem, the latterpassing through the top of the carbid-magazine, means to operate saidvalve through said stem automatically by means controlled by thegas-pressure from within the gas-chamber, and manually by operating theextension-stem outside of the carbid-magazine, substantially asdescribed.

28. In an acetylene-gas generator, a valve interposed between thecarbid-magazine and the gas-generator chamber, substantially asdescribed, the valve being mounted on a valve-stem passing into thegenerator-chamher and into the carbid-chainber, an auxiliary stemsuitably mounted to pass through the dome of the carbid-magazine, andsuitably connected with the upper end of the valvestem, so as to permitthe free movement of the valve when the auxiliary stem is depressed, andoperating to close the valve when the auxiliary stem is elevated, incombination with means to operate said valve automatically by meanscontrolled by the gas-pressure from within the gas-chamber or manuallyby operating the stem through the auxiliary valve-stem from the outsideof the carbidmagazine, substantially as described.

29. In an acetylene-gas generator, a tank having a conical base, a portand valvein the apex of the cone, an agitator adapted to fit said cone,an annular float mounted in the external water-compartment of theapparatus, adapted to revolve, and mechanical means connecting the floatand the agitator so arranged that when the float is revolved theagitator Will in like manner revolve, substantially as described.

30. In an acetylene-gas generator, a bell having a port in its dome, acarbid-magazine having a nozzle adapted to fit in said port, a valvemounted in said nozzle, a float adapted to be supported in the outerchamber, me-

chanical means carried by said float supporting a vertical rod, saidvertical rod support ing a valve and becoming part of the valvestem whenthe same is in contact with the valve, the valve and carbid-chamber,how- JAMES H. MOUNT.

Witnesses:

JACOB I. BERGEN, EMMA W. FINLAYSON.

too

